2. On the Difference in Interest
Ruler and minister differ in interest. Therefore, ministers
are never loyal. As soon as the minister's[7]
interest stands up,
the sovereign's interest goes to ruin. Thus wicked ministers
would exterminate their opponents at home by sending for
enemy troops and bewilder their lord by enumerating foreign
affairs. As long as their private interest is accomplished, they
never mind any disaster to the state. An instance is found in
the husband's and wife's prayer in Wei. For further illustration,
Tai Hsieh discussed the danger of allowing sons and
brothers to take up office in the courts of foreign states, the
Three Huan families attacked Duke Chao, Kung-shu
conspired secretly with the army of Ch`i, Chieh Huang sent
for troops from Han, Premier P`i persuaded High Official
Chung of his personal interest, Ta-ch`êng Wu[8]
taught
Shên Pu-hai the way to their mutual advantage, Ssŭ-ma
Hsi divulged secret news to the King of Chao, Lü Ts`ang
induced Ch`in and Ch`u to invade his native soil; Sung
Shih wrote Wei Chün a personal letter; and Pai Kuei taught
Pao Ch`ien the way to their mutual advantage.
